That attack left 17 dead and spawned a nationwide youth-led campaign for gun control.

ADVERTISEMENT

Santa Fe Police Chief Jeff Powell said: “There have been explosive devices found inside the high school, and in the surrounding areas adjacent to the high school.”

He advised residents to be aware of any suspicious objects they find.

“Do not touch any items that look out of place,” he said, warning residents to immediately call police.

He added that at least six people had been transported to hospital with gunshot wounds, including a Santa Fe school police officer.

Several students described hearing a fire alarm go off shortly before 08:00 local time. It is not clear how the alarm was activated.

ADVERTISEMENT

One witness told KTRK-TV the shooting happened in her art class, and that one person shot was a girl.

“There was someone that walked in with a shotgun and started shooting,” the student said, “and this girl got shot in the leg.”

She said that she did not get a look at the shooter, because she ran to hide.

One 10th grader told networks she had an asthma attack while hiding in the woods.

News helicopters filmed students emptying their backpacks in front of armed officers in a field outside the school.

A bomb squad was at the scene, and several helicopter ambulances flew victims to hospital.

School superintendent Dr Leigh Wall said in a statement: “We experienced an unthinkable tragedy at our high school this morning.”

Federal officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are helping the investigation.

President Donald Trump, speaking at a prison reform event at the White House, described the attack as “absolutely horrific”.

“My administration is determined to do everything in our power to protect our students, secure our schools, and to keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves, and to others,” he added.

Two weeks ago, Mr Trump reiterated his call to arm teachers with guns during a speech in Dallas to the National Rifle Association (NRA).

First Lady Melania Trump tweeted: “My heart goes out of Santa Fe and all of Texas today.”

Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.